About this role
Job summary
Dispensary Manager (Framlingham)
Are you a Pharmacy Technician looking for a role where you can really shape how a dispensary runs?
We re looking for a Dispensary Manager to take responsibility for the day-to-day running of our dispensary service for Framlingham Surgery.
You ll be mainly based at Framlingham, with some working at Earl Soham, and you ll play a key role in making sure our dispensary service is safe, organised, and works well for both patients and staff.
About the role
This is a hands-on management role where youll oversee how the dispensary operates across both sites.
You ll manage the dispensary team, keep a close eye on workflows, stock, and standards, and make sure medicines are dispensed safely and accurately. You ll also support wider pharmacy and prescribing activity by helping to resolve patient and prescription queries, working closely with GPs, pharmacist, and the practice team.
You ll take the lead on areas such as controlled drugs and DSQS, and act as the main point of contact for dispensary matters within the practice.
Main duties of the job
What you ll be doing
Managing the dispensary service at Framlingham Surgery sites Line managing dispensary staff, including rotas, supervision, appraisals, and development Making sure dispensing is safe, accurate, and in line with SOPs and legal requirements Overseeing ordering, stock control, expiry checks, and cold-chain processes Leading on controlled drugs governance and audits Taking responsibility for DSQS compliance and keeping evidence up to date Supporting pharmacy and prescribing work by helping to resolve patient and prescription queries, liaising with clinicians and external pharmacies as needed Identifying and addressing risks, incidents, and near misses Working with clinicians to resolve prescription queries and support safe prescribing Acting as a senior point of escalation for dispensary-related issues About you
You ll be a registered Pharmacy Technician (GPhC) with a Level 3 qualification, and you ll already have good experience working in a dispensary environment ideally in general practice or primary care.
You ll be comfortable managing people, organising workloads, and keeping oversight of what s going on across more than one site. You ll be practical, organised, and confident taking responsibility for standards, safety, and compliance.
Experience with controlled drugs, stock management, and DSQS is important. Experience of audits or inspections would be helpful, but not essential.
About us
Suffolk Primary Care is a forward-thinking partnership of GP surgeries across Suffolk. Our collaborative approach enables doctors and staff to share resources, ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality healthcare.
We are committed to equal employment opportunities and encourage applications from all qualified individuals.
Why join us?
It's a role with genuine influence We're a supportive practice with an established team Close working with clinicians and operational leadership Variety, responsibility, and autonomy in your day-to-day work A salary that reflects the scope of the role Support from being part of a larger group Benefits of Working with SPC
NHS Pension Scheme:
Defined benefits scheme Life insurance Family benefits, including adult dependents & children's pensions Ill health benefits 23.7% employer contribution Electric Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme:
Low monthly payments, no deposit, no credit check Fully comprehensive insurance, servicing, tyres & breakdown cover Up to £2,000 annual SPC contribution (subject to conditions)Additional Benefits:
Eye care vouchers Health service discounts, including a complimentary Blue Light Card for new starters Minimum 33 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays) for full-time employees, with enhancements for long service Enhanced maternity & paternity terms High street discounts via our online portal Salary sacrifice schemes for technology, homewares, cycling, and gym memberships
Job description Job responsibilities
Job Summary
You will manage and coordinate the dispensary service across both of Framlingham's sites: Framlingham and Earl Soham.
You are responsible for ensuring medicines are dispensed safely, accurately, and efficiently, while providing clear managerial leadership, oversight, and accountability for the dispensary team.
You will work closely with GPs, pharmacists, and the wider practice team to support high-quality patient care and help reduce GP prescribing workload.
Key Responsibilities
Dispensary Management
You will manage the dispensary service across all three sites, ensuring safe, effective, and resilient service delivery.
You will line manage dispensary staff, including supervision, rota management, appraisal, sickness management, and performance management.
You will support recruitment, induction, training, and competency assessment of dispensary staff.
You will ensure adequate staffing levels, skill mix, and cover across Framlingham and Earl Soham.
Dispensing and Medicines Management
You will ensure the safe, accurate, and timely dispensing of medicines in accordance with legal requirements, SOPs, and professional standards. You will oversee prescription processing, labelling, assembly, checking, and supply of medicines. You will manage ordering of medicines and dispensing supplies, ensuring continuity of supply and value for money. You will maintain effective stock control systems, including stock rotation, expiry date monitoring, cold-chain management, and stock reconciliation. You will support pharmacy and prescribing activity by resolving patient and prescription queries, liaising with GPs, pharmacists, and external pharmacies where needed to ensure safe and timely supply of medicines. Operational Oversight
You hold overall responsibility for the effective operation of the dispensary service across all practice sites. This includes:
Ensuring dispensary services are organised, resilient, and appropriately staffed. Overseeing workflows to ensure prescriptions are processed accurately, efficiently, and in line with policy. Ensuring dispensary SOPs are current, embedded, and consistently applied. Maintaining oversight of dispensing activity without being solely task-focused yourself. Controlled Drugs and Governance
You will ensure robust controlled drugs governance, including safe storage, ordering, recording, reconciliation, and destruction in line with legislation and local SOPs. You will lead on controlled drugs audits and respond appropriately to discrepancies or incidents. You will ensure dispensary SOPs are followed consistently and reviewed regularly. DSQS and Contractual Compliance
You will take lead responsibility for Dispensing Services Quality Scheme (DSQS) compliance. You will ensure evidence is maintained to demonstrate compliance with DSQS requirements across all sites. You will support data collection, audits, and reporting required to meet contractual obligations. Patient Safety and Risk Management
You will identify, manage, and mitigate risks relating to dispensing activity. You will ensure dispensing incidents, near misses, and concerns are reported appropriately and investigated. You will contribute to learning, action planning, and service improvement following incidents or audits.
Clinical and Patient-Facing Responsibilities
You will work closely with GPs, pharmacists, and the wider clinical team to resolve patient and prescription queries, supporting safe prescribing and effective medicines management. You will provide advice and support to patients regarding their medicines, within your scope of practice. You will contribute to improving patient experience and outcomes through effective medicines management.
Quality Assurance and Audit
You will support internal and external audits, inspections, and assurance visits. You will ensure accurate record-keeping and compliance with information governance requirements. You will provide dispensary-related information and assurance reports as required by the Practice Operations Manager or Partners.
Service Development and Improvement
You will support continuous improvement of dispensary processes. You will contribute to service development, efficiency initiatives, and digital optimisation where appropriate You will act as a senior point of escalation for dispensary-related issues across the practice.Other duties
You may be required to undertake any other duty that may be reasonable and commensurate with the pay tier
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
You are a registered Pharmacy Technician with the GPhC. You hold a Pharmacy Technician Level 3 qualification (or equivalent). You have strong knowledge of medicines management, ordering, stock control, controlled drugs, and DSQS requirements. You are organised, methodical, and able to manage competing priorities across multiple sites. You are willing and able to work flexibly across Framlingham and Earl Soham sites.
Experience Essential
You have substantial experience working in a dispensary environment, ideally within general practice or primary care. You have experience managing or supervising staff.
Desirable
Experience preparing for or supporting inspections, audits, or contractual assurance. Experience contributing to service improvement or redesign initiatives.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Suffolk Primary Care
Address Doctors Surgery
Pembroke Road
Framlingham
WOODBRIDGE
Suffolk
IP13 9HA
United Kingdom
Employer's website http://suffolkprimarycare.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)